A private sleeper Volvo bus en route to Srinagar from Delhi was reportedly targeted by unidentified individuals who hurled stones at it near Ludhiana in Punjab late Sunday night. The incident occurred approximately 11 pm on the Delhi-Jammu highway, according to Ishfaq Ahmad, the driver of the bus operated by Star World Ventures. Ahmad informed The Tribune that the passengers, including women and children who were asleep at the time, were frightened by the attack, though no injuries were reported.
Following the stone-pelting, Punjab Police were approached, and personnel subsequently escorted the bus for several kilometers. The vehicle has since resumed its journey towards Srinagar. This latest incident follows a similar attack on another bus from the same company just a day prior in Haryana. On Saturday night, a bus carrying passengers from Jammu and Kashmir was struck with stones and bricks at a roadside eatery near Nilokheri in Haryana, resulting in injuries to one passenger and a dhaba worker. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the Haryana Police have arrested two individuals in connection with that earlier attack.
The previous stone-pelting incident in Haryana had sparked significant concern and condemnation in the Kashmir Valley, with religious and political figures calling for decisive action against those responsible. The driver of the bus attacked in Haryana had alleged that assailants verbally abused him, calling him a “terrorist” after noticing the vehicle’s registration number. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had publicly condemned the incident and urged the Haryana government to ensure appropriate action was taken. However, the Haryana Police had reportedly ruled out any hate crime motive, suggesting the incident stemmed from a roadside altercation.
The repeated targeting of buses carrying passengers from Jammu and Kashmir raises serious questions about the safety and security of inter-state transport for residents of the region. While authorities in Punjab provided an escort after the latest incident, the recurring nature of such attacks underscores a potential pattern of targeted harassment. The driver’s account of being called a “terrorist” in the Haryana incident, as reported by The Tribune, highlights the sensitive nature of such attacks and the potential for them to be perceived as motivated by prejudice, even if law enforcement initially suggests otherwise.
The Star World Ventures company, operating these sleeper Volvo services, appears to be at the center of these recent security concerns. The fact that two separate buses from the same operator have been targeted within a 24-hour period, in different states, suggests a need for a coordinated investigation by law enforcement agencies across the affected regions. The primary concern for authorities remains the safety of passengers, particularly given the presence of vulnerable individuals like children and women on board during these assaults. The psychological impact on passengers, who are subjected to such frightening experiences while traveling, is also a significant factor.
As the bus continues its journey to Srinagar, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by transport operators and passengers from Jammu and Kashmir when traveling through other parts of the country. The swift response from the Punjab Police in providing an escort is a positive step, but the underlying issues that lead to such attacks need to be thoroughly investigated and addressed to prevent future occurrences. The statements from political leaders in Kashmir demanding stringent action indicate the gravity with which these incidents are viewed within the region, potentially escalating political tensions if not handled effectively.
The Haryana Police’s initial statement that the incident stemmed from an argument, while potentially accurate for that specific event, may not fully capture the broader implications or the perception of those affected. The driver’s testimony about being called a “terrorist” is a critical piece of information that cannot be easily dismissed and warrants thorough examination as part of the investigation. The involvement of multiple states in these incidents necessitates inter-state cooperation to identify and apprehend the perpetrators and to understand any potential organized nature of these attacks.
The economic impact on transport operators like Star World Ventures is also a consideration. Repeated incidents of stone-pelting can lead to damage to vehicles, increased insurance costs, and a decline in passenger confidence, potentially affecting the viability of such services. The safety of infrastructure, including roadside dhabas and highways, also comes into question when such attacks can occur with relative impunity. The reliance on police escorts, while necessary for immediate safety, is not a sustainable long-term solution to ensure the security of travelers.
The narrative surrounding these attacks, particularly the alleged verbal abuse directed at the driver, could fuel further mistrust and animosity. It is crucial for law enforcement agencies to not only apprehend those responsible but also to communicate the findings of their investigations transparently to the public. This can help in dispelling rumors and ensuring that the incidents are understood in their proper context, while also reassuring the traveling public from Jammu and Kashmir that their safety is a paramount concern for all authorities.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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